Sen. Hanig files bill in North Carolina Senate to expand early literacy tutoring and reporting

A new bill filed by State Sen. Bobby Hanig in the North Carolina Senate aims to strengthen early literacy support and expand school reading data transparency, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 969 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘First Grade Reading Promise.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill appropriates $5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2026-27 fiscal year to provide first grade students with access to in-person and virtual high-dosage early literacy tutoring based on the science of reading. The bill clarifies that literacy tutoring encouraged under existing law may be provided virtually. It also expands Read to Achieve accountability reporting by requiring local school boards to publish and report school-level, grade-level reading data when there are at least 30 students, beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Section 1 takes effect July 1, 2026.

Hanig proposed another 62 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Hanig, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 1st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Norman Sanderson.